Natick, Dover groups help preserve Pegan Hill

Thursday

Jul 28, 2016 at 12:01 AM

Kessel is chairman of Natick's Open Space Advisory Committee; Moot is the chairwoman of Dover's Open Space Committee. They were part of a collaboration between their committees, and several others in Natick and Dover, to protect the 16.3-acre parcel at 193 Pegan Lane from development.

By Maureen Sullivan, msullivan@wickedlocal.com

Martin Kessel and Amey Moot walked the mile-long trail through Pegan Hill Reservation. Somewhere along the way, they came across a small surveying disc in the ground, marking the highest point of Pegan Hill itself.

They then walked onto a newly acquired parcel adjacent to the reservation; from here, and the adjacent Lewis Hill, they took in the view — the mountains of southern New Hampshire, Blue Hill, and if you get just the right angle, Gillette Stadium.

Kessel is chairman of Natick’s Open Space Advisory Committee; Moot is the chairwoman of Dover’s Open Space Committee. They were part of a collaboration between their committees, and several others in Natick and Dover, to protect the 16.3-acre parcel at 193 Pegan Lane from development.

These groups included the Trustees of Reservations, which oversees Pegan Hill Reservation; the Dover Land Conservation Trust; the Dover Conservation Commission and the Natick Conservation Commission.

Natick acquired a conservation restriction for the parcel via a $1million appropriation at Town Meeting.

The parcel flanks the 27.5-acre Pegan Hill Reservation overseen by the Trustees, the 32.3-acre Mumford Wildlife Forest, overseen by the New England Forestry Foundation, and 50 Pegan Lane, aka Lewis Hill, overseen by the Land Conservation Trust.

The Natick Conservation Commission oversees a sliver of land on the east side of the reservation.

According to documents provided by Moot as part of presentations to Dover and Natick town officials, the “ultimate vision” would result in more than 140 acres of fields, loop trails and links to other trails, including the Charles River Loop and the Bay Circuit Trail.

A look at the map of the area shows this “preservation patchwork.” Some parcels are still private property, but have conservation restrictions; most of these parcels would transfer to the care of the Trustees. Other parcels would go under the care of the Dover Land Conservation Trust and the Mass. Audubon Society.

Both Kessel and Moot said coordinating between the groups will be a top priority.

For Moot, protecting these parcels means preserving Dover’s main watershed.

“This is where get most of our water,” she said.

In addition to its role in the environment, Pegan Hill has deep historic roots as well. In the 1600s, “Praying Indians” under the guidance of the Rev. John Eliot left their nomadic existence and took up farming at the hill.

At an open house celebrating the acquisition of the Pegan Hill parcel in June, current members of the Natick Praying Indians came to honor their ancestors.

What’s in store

Now that the parcel has been purchased, the next step will be to expand parking. The current lot, which is just off Pegan Lane (Pleasant Street side), has space for just two vehicles.

The Trustees of Reservations hope to expand this area to 11 spaces; it would feature diagonal spaces and a one-way traffic flow in an effort to limit the size of the lot and allow cars to maneuver.

The lot would have a crushed stone surface, and would include two handicapped spaces.

According to Kessel, access to the reservation via Pegan Lane, off Farm Street in Dover, would be restricted.

Other priorities include the improvement of trail loops; removal of invasive plants; and exploring possibilities with Lookout Farm, whose property abuts the Mumford Forest and Pegan Hill Reservation.